Beaker
Date1744-1749
Artist/Maker
Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory
(1745-1769)
MediumPorcelain, Soft-paste
DimensionsH: 2 3/4in. (7cm); DIA: 2 3/8in. (6cm)
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1962-90
DescriptionFluted, soft-paste porcelain beaker with lobed rim and lobed foot ring. The beaker is decorated with hand painted, overglaze enamels in the Kakiemon style. There is a bird painted in red, blue, yellow and green perched on a rock. There are branches of red and yellow flowers sprouting up from behind the rock. On the other side is a red flying bird with long tail feathers, resembling a hôô bird. At the bottom of the interior, there is a red blossom with green leaves. There is a line of brown, iron oxide on the rim.Label TextA rare, early example of the so-called hoho bird pattern in the Chelsea triangle period, this design is more commonly found in the red anchor period and on many forms of Worcester porcelain. On Worcester, the design is usually referred to as the Sir Joshua Reynolds pattern. It is said to have been taken from a Japanese copy of a Chinese pattern.
The shape of the beaker is more obviously of the triangle period, relating somewhat to the tea-plant examples. Beakers with this decoration are generally unmarked, although one painted with the rare crown-and-trident, and another with a red anchor mark survive.
InscribedNo
MarkingsNo
ProvenanceEx coll: F. Severne Mackenna, Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire (81)
M. G. Kaufman, Chicago
Exhibition(s)
